Cockroach inspires robot that squeezes through cracks

Ever wonder how roaches are able to get into anything, no matter how tight the seams? Biologists have now shown that the American cockroach can flatten its body to one-fifth normal running height to squeeze through cracks as small as two stacked pennies, and can run at high speed when flattened by half. These features were reproduced in a squishy robot that can run even when flattened: ideal for search and rescue.